Housing for receiving an electrical device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a casing (i.e., housing) for receiving an electrical device, particularly a switching device or sensor, having at least one indicating apparatus for indicating different electrical states, particularly switching states, of the device. The casing is characterized in that each indicating apparatus has a plurality of indicating devices and that the indicating devices of one indicating apparatus are positioned facing one another on the casing in such a way that, from each viewing direction, at least one indicating device of each indicating apparatus can be seen.

This application claims priority to PCT Application No.PCT/EP2003/008173 filed Jul. 24, 2003, which claims the benefit ofGerman Application No. 202 17 773.4 filed Nov. 18, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a casing (i.e., housing) for receiving anelectrical device, particularly a switching device or sensor, having atleast one indicating or display apparatus for indicating or displayingdifferent electrical states, particularly switching states, of thedevice, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention also relates to a casing for receiving an electricalswitching device or sensor with an indicating device for indicatingdifferent electrical switching states of the electrical switching deviceor sensor, said casing being shaped in a substantially cuboid or cubicmanner.

2. Description of Related Art

Numerous casings for receiving electrical switching devices or sensorsare known. The casings have indicating devices for indicating differentelectrical switching states for monitoring the functionally correctoperation of the electrical switching device or sensor. For example, DE19512915 discloses an electrical connection part with electricallycontacting contact pins or female contacts, such as plugs or sockets,which has a reception part in which is placed a light guide member madefrom transmissive material with at least one illuminant and throughwhich are passed leads for the contact pins. The light guide member hasarms, provided on their abutting ends on the side facing the illuminantwith, in each case, a surface plane-inclined or curved in the directionof the longitudinal axis of the main radiation direction of theilluminant, which, in each case, form the reflecting deflecting surfaceof the arm and which are able to deflect the light mainly in the axialdirection within the particular arm at an angle between approximately40° and 140°, preferably at right angles to the main radiation directionthereof. The reflecting deflecting surfaces of the arms collide in eachcase in the axis of the main radiation direction of the illuminant in apoint or edge directed towards the light guide member. Below the pointor edge, the light guide member has a recess in which is located theilluminant.

This apparatus, like most of the known casings, suffers from thedisadvantage that despite indicating the switching state of theelectrical switching device or sensor, the switching state cannot beseen to the same extent from all spatial directions, so that in certaincircumstances, a fault or a malfunction of the electrical switchingdevice or of the sensor can occur without it being immediately noticedby an operator.

Additionally, FR 2643640 discloses a proximity switch with anilluminant, for example, a light emitting diode, being positioned in atransparent end piece. With the aid of this transparent end piece and aplurality of reflections obtained by this means, an improved visibilityof the illuminant is obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a casing of the afore-mentionedtype in which the electrical states, i.e., in particular the switchingstates, can be particularly reliably monitored by an operator.

This object is achieved with a casing for receiving an electricaldevice, particularly a switching device or sensor, having at least oneindicating apparatus for indicating different electrical states,particularly switching states, of the device, characterized in that eachindicating apparatus has a plurality of indicating devices and that theindicating devices of an indicating apparatus are positioned facing oneanother on the casing in such a way that from each viewing direction atleast one indicating device of each indicating apparatus is visible.

According to the invention, a casing of the above-mentioned kind isimproved in that each indicating apparatus has a plurality ofisochromatic indicating devices and that the indicating devices of anindicating apparatus on the casing are located opposing each other sothat, from each viewing direction, at least one indicating device ofeach indicating apparatus is visible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a second solution isthat with a casing for receiving an electrical switching device orsensor of the aforementioned type for indicating different switchingstates of the electrical switching device or sensor, in those corners orangles which each are located on the same space diagonal, the casing hasidentical indicating devices. The indicating devices differing ondifferent space diagonals, so that from each viewing direction on thecasing it is always in each case possible to see one of the indicatingdevices for each of the different switching states to be indicated ofthe electrical switching device or sensor. On viewing one of thesurfaces of the casing, as a result of this arrangement it is possibleto see an indicating device from each spatial direction.

An important advantage of the invention is that the indicating devicefor indicating different electrical switching states or switchingpositions or switching states of the switching device or sensor can beclearly detected from each spatial direction.

If, e.g., a power-on indication and a further, different functionswitching state of the electrical switching device or sensor are to beindicated, the casing comprises for a first indication, e.g., for thepower-on indication, as well as for a further, different indication,such as for indicating a switching state of the electrical switchingdevice or sensor, in each two corners or angles, which are in each caselocated on the same space diagonal of two space diagonals, identicalindicating devices. Said indicating devices on different space diagonalsare different, so that from each viewing direction on the casing alwaysin each case two indicating devices with different signalling arevisible, which form an indication pair, e.g., namely in each case forpower-on and a function switching state of the electrical switchingdevice or sensor.

If, e.g., a power-on indication and two further, different functionswitching states of the electrical switching device or sensor are to beindicated, the casing comprises, for a first indication, e.g., forpower-on indication, as well as for a second indication, such as forindicating a first switching state, as well as for a third indication,such as for indicating a second switching state of the electricalswitching device or sensor, in each three corners or angles, which arein each case located on the same space diagonal of three spacediagonals, identical indicating devices. Said indicating devices ondifferent space diagonals are different, so that from each viewingdirection on the casing always in each case three indicating deviceswith different signalling are visible, which form an indication triple,e.g., namely in each case for power-on and two different functionswitching states of the electrical switching device or sensor.

If, e.g., a power-on indication and three further, different functionswitching states of the electrical switching device or sensor are to beindicated, the casing comprises, for a first indication, e.g., forpower-on indication, as well as for a second indication, such as forindicating a first switching state, as well as for a third indication,such as for indicating a second switching state, as well as for a fourthindication, such as for indicating a third switching state of theelectrical switching device or sensor, in each case, four corners orangles, which are in each case located on the same space diagonal offour space diagonals, identical indicating devices. Said indicatingdevices on different space diagonals are different, so that from eachviewing direction on the casing always in each case four of theindicating devices with different signalling are visible, which form aindication quadruple, e.g., namely in each case for power-on and threedifferent function switching states of the electrical switching deviceor sensor.

According to a further development of the invention, the indicatingdevices can be incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes, which emitlight of different colours and which can consequently be differentiated,those indicating devices located on the same space diagonal emittingisochromatic light, but those indicating devices located on differentspace diagonals emitting light with different colours.

According to a further development of the invention, within the casingand in those corners where indicating devices are located, there areviewing windows behind which is in each case positioned a light emittingdiode or incandescent lamp.

Thus, the indicating device or a plurality of indicating devices canalways be detected from all spatial directions, because when theoperator views one or more of the boundary surfaces of the cubic orcuboid casing, in the presence of only one function indicating device,he is always able to see one of the two indicating devices. In thiscase, a distinction can, e.g., always be made between power-on andpower-not-on.

If the device has two different function indicating devices, they forman indication pair, e.g., power-on and power-not-on and the switchingstate-s and the switching state-not-s and once again, in each case, oneindication pair can be seen from each spatial direction and can bedistinguished by different signalling, such as differently colouredlight.

If the device has three different function indicating devices, they forman indication triple, e.g., power-on and power-not-on, switching state-sand switching state-not-s, as well as switching state-t and switchingstate-not-t and once again, in each case, one indication triple can beseen from each spatial direction and can be differentiated by differentsignalling, such as differently coloured light.

If the device has four different function indicating devices, they forman indication quadruple, e.g., power-on and power-not-on, switchingstate-s and switching state-not-s, switching state-t and switchingstate-not-t as well as switching state-r and switching state-not-r andonce again, in each case, one indication quadruple can be seen from eachspatial direction and can be differentiated by different signalling,such as differently coloured light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the drawings, whichshow:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cubic casing (i.e., housing) forreceiving an electrical switching device or sensor, said casing havingtwo different function indicating devices, which together form anindication pair; and

FIG. 2 is a view of the cubic casing of FIG. 1 turned by 180° toillustrate the fact that always one indication pair of differentfunction indications can be seen from each spatial direction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The casing (i.e., housing) 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a cube, which isbounded by its boundary surfaces 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 20 and has the anglesor corners 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Between the corners 10-13,11-14, 12-15 and 16-17 the space diagonals 4, 3, 18 and 19 extend,respectively. On the boundary surface 8 is located a mounting flange 2,which is, e.g., used for flanging the casing 1 to a mounting base notshown, which for this purpose has a suitable opening for receiving themounting flange 2.

The casing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is such that it is able to indicateor display two different switching states. For example, the casing 1 isused for a power-on indication and for indicating a further switchingstate of the electrical switching device or sensor. To this end, thecasing 1 is provided in two corners 10-13, which are located on the samespace diagonal 4, in each case with an indicating apparatus having twoidentical indicating devices 10 and 13. Further, in the two corners11-14 located on the same space diagonal 3, the casing 1 has a furtherindicating apparatus with two identical indicating devices 11 and 14.However, the indicating devices on the different space diagonals 3 and 4differ, so that they can be distinguished. So, directly adjacentindicating devices 10-11 and 13-14 in each case form an indication pairwith different signalling of states and of the two indication pairs10-11, 13-14 respectively, it is always possible to see one indicationpair 10-11 or 13-14 from each viewing direction on the casing 1.

One indication pair of the indicating devices can, e.g., comprisedifferent light emitting diodes 10, 11, 13, 14, the diagonally facinglight emitting diodes 10, 13 in the diagonally facing corners 10, 13 ofthe casing 1, e.g., emitting light in the red spectrum. The diagonallyfacing light emitting diodes 11, 14 in the diagonally facing corners 11,14 however, e.g., emitting light in the green spectrum, so that in thisway it is possible to distinguish the different functional states of theelectrical switching device or sensor within the casing 1.

FIG. 2 also shows that each corner in which an indicating device islocated, such as in corner 11 indicating device 11, is covered with atranslucent viewing window 21, behind which is located the indicatingdevice in the form of a light emitting diode 11.

REFERENCE NUMERALS LIST

-   -   1 Cubic casing    -   2 Mounting flange    -   3, 4, 18, 19 Space diagonals    -   5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Top surfaces of the casing    -   10, 11, 13, 14 Indicating devices and simultaneously corners of        the casing    -   15, 16, 17 Remaining corners of the casing    -   21 Translucent viewing window

1. A casing for receiving an electrical device, the casing comprising: aplurality of sides that form a substantially cubic structure; and afirst indicating apparatus for indicating a first set of differentelectrical states of the device, wherein the first indicating apparatusincludes a first plurality of isochromatic indicating devices that arelocated on facing corners of one of the space diagonals of the casing.2. The casing of claim 1, wherein the electrical device comprises one ofa switching device or a sensor.
 3. The casing of claim 1, wherein theelectrical states comprise switching states.
 4. The casing of claim 1,further comprising a second indicating apparatus for indicating a secondset of different electrical states of the device, wherein the secondindicating apparatus includes a second plurality of isochromaticindicating devices that are located on facing corners of one of theplurality of space diagonals of the casing.
 5. The casing of claim 4,wherein each of the first and second pluralities of isochromaticindicating devices are located on a unique space diagonal.
 6. The casingof claim 4, wherein the first plurality of isochromatic indicatingdevices comprise a first colour and the second plurality of isochromaticindicating devices comprise a second colour different from the firstcolour.
 7. The casing of claim 4, wherein the first set of differentelectrical states comprise a set of power states for the electricaldevice and the second set of different electrical states comprise a setof switching states for the electrical device.
 8. The casing of claim 4,further comprising a third indicating apparatus for indicating a thirdset of different electrical states of the device, wherein the thirdindicating apparatus includes a third plurality of isochromaticindicating devices that are located on facing corners of one of theplurality of space diagonals of the casing.
 9. The casing of claim 8,wherein each of the first, second, and third pluralities of isochromaticindicating devices are located on a unique space diagonal.
 10. Thecasing of claim 8, further comprising a fourth indicating apparatus forindicating a fourth set of different electrical states of the device,wherein the fourth indicating apparatus includes a fourth plurality ofisochromatic indicating devices that are located on facing corners ofone of the plurality of space diagonals of the casing.
 11. The casing ofclaim 10, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourthpluralities of isochromatic indicating devices are located on a uniquespace diagonal.
 12. The casing of claim 1, wherein the first pluralityof isochromatic indicating devices are identical.
 13. The casing ofclaim 1, wherein the first plurality of isochromatic indicating devicescomprise one of a plurality of light emitting diodes or a plurality ofincandescent lamps.
 14. The casing of claim 1, further comprising, ateach of the facing corners of the one of the plurality of spacediagonals, a translucent viewing window.
 15. A casing for receiving anelectrical device, the casing comprising: a first indicating apparatusfor indicating a first set of different electrical states of theelectrical device, wherein the electrical device is one of: a switchingdevice or a sensor, and wherein the first indicating apparatus includesa first plurality of indicating devices that are located on the casingsuch that at least one of the first plurality of indicating devices isvisible from each viewing direction for the casing.
 16. The casing ofclaim 15, wherein the casing comprises a plurality of sides that form asubstantially cubic structure, and wherein the first plurality ofindicating devices are located on facing corners of one of the spacediagonals of the casing.
 17. The casing of claim 15, wherein the firstplurality of indicating devices comprise a plurality of isochromaticindicating devices.
 18. The casing of claim 15, further comprising asecond indicating apparatus for indicating a second set of differentelectrical states of the electrical device, wherein the secondindicating apparatus includes a second plurality of indicating devicesthat are located on the casing such that at least one of the secondplurality of indicating devices is visible from each viewing directionfor the casing.
 19. A casing for receiving an electrical device, thecasing comprising: a first indicating apparatus for indicating a set ofpower states for the electrical device, wherein the electrical device isone of: a switching device or a sensor, and wherein the first indicatingapparatus includes a first plurality of indicating devices that arelocated on the casing such that at least one of the first plurality ofindicating devices is visible from each viewing direction for thecasing; and a second indicating apparatus for indicating a set ofswitching states for the electrical device, wherein the secondindicating apparatus includes a second plurality of indicating devicesthat are located on the casing such that at least one of the secondplurality of indicating devices is visible from each viewing directionfor the casing.
 20. The casing of claim 19, wherein the first pluralityof indicating devices comprise a first colour and the second pluralityof indicating devices comprise a second colour different from the firstcolour.